I’m proud to announce the first of what will mark a new tradition for CTHIPHOP.NET… to help celebrate that we’ve hit 300 posts. Duece Bug and the FullBlast Collective have given us license to spread their most recent tape for the digital era. This is an AMAZING PROJECT (and yea, I have a track featured on this, so I’m biased… fuck it tho.) There is absolutely NO filler on this whatsoever. The most beautiful thing about this record? After selling decently to the fans, hand to hand, it’s free.

We’re going to be bringing you more music as it occurs. Please click the cover to download the tape directly to your computer/ipod/whatever plays music. I took the time to apply the cover to the files and tag all of the tracks so that they display right on that digital media device… you heard?

I am glad as hell to be back here! After a few weeks of preparing for a battle, getting through half the school year, and having the flu, I’ve managed to land myself in front of the laptop, full of new ideas for the site. Those are secret, but what I will tell you is that this is going to get serious.

First thing’s first, though…Full Blast just dropped a new mixtape, and it is bonkers.

Credit to our own Krys and Tainted Designs for the cover/flier above…y’all know we love a fresh looking girl in a respirator, especially when she’s representing dope CT music.

As far as the CD itself, when I opened it up, I was pleasantly surprised by the hand-written title on the disc itself. On the inside cover, a list of 20 songs, most of which I’d never heard before. The usual names were on it(Unikron, Soho, White Cheddar, Chuck Nickels, and, of course, Duece Bug), but those weren’t what stuck out to me. Another one of our own, Brash, graced this disc with his presence, along with Lighta(R.I.P.), Samwall Grimes, James Joyce, Rising Sun Quest, and a few other guests.

A few tracks really stuck out to me, the first of which being a beat jack of “Beware” from Jay-Z and Punjabi MC, featuring 5:AM and Duece Bug. I wasn’t sure I’d ever hear someone jack this beat and do it well, and I gotta say, I was pretty happy it was these two guys doing it. The song itself is titled, “And Ya Don’t Stop,” and is one of the more energetic tracks on the disc. It’s definitely classic Five, with his typically crass lyrics and quick rhythms, which are accented very well by Duece’s clever word-play and laid back cadence.

The one I found most notable was “2012,” from Soho(Track 9). I was almost stunned by the wordplay on this. I’ve been really just getting familiar with Soho recently, and the more I do, the more impressed I am with what he’s doing. He uses extremely intricate polysyllabic rhyme schemes, and has excellent cadence on all the tracks I’ve heard, but this one is easily the best I’ve found. I really can’t say enough about this one, except that you need to hear it.

That’s a little sample of what you’ll hear on this..hit up Duece Bug for a copy.

Adam Szantyr of the art collaborative Tainted Designs began taking an interest in the filming, directing, and editing of music videos in 2011, after he and his partner, Xavier, hosted L.M.C.F (Local Musicians Collaborative Festival) in Southbury
Today, they announced the release of “We Be Out Here,” their first music video collaboration!

For the dwellers of the underground, “We Be Out Here” is a song that evokes a strong feeling of unity and pride. We all feel it at every show as we shout along with Duece Bug and Chuck “Itz UrBoi” Nickels and the folks of the Full Blast Movement about the towns we love and the raging we do.That same vibe a crowd feels at a show can now be evoked in fans and artists alike VIA the world wide web, thanks to the music video that’s out now!

Duece Bug hopes it can inspire other states and communities to follow suit.

“This video proves it’s not all about me. It’s about the community, and being proud of something even if it hasn’t caught public light yet. Sure CT hasn’t blown- and its frustrating, but so many people are still proud to be making music here and that’s awesome.”Duece Bug

The filming style utilized is unique to the music video industry, in my opinion. Adam used many background events to relay the message of the leg work involved in such an elaborate system that our underground consists of. While the typical approach is to make the MCs the main focus, he instead uses Duece and Chuck’s words to paint a picture, and you feel their presence in every scene whether their faces are visible or not.

Adam Szantyr agrees that his background in live filming and his experience from past jobs aided his ability to create such an intricate and enjoyable piece of videography. The video was shot using a Canon 7d at venues and locations across the state including Toad’s Place in New Haven, Rampage Skatepark in Bridgeport, and Dewey’s Pub in Seymour.

“I like to take things I have learned (through filming) along the way and use them where I can. For instance, when I document live performances, I work around my scene. I have learned to make use of that skill as much as possible.”Adam Szantyr

During the 5 minute and 12 second duration, about 10 exchanges take place – a separate chain of events isolated by location – of a mysterious paper bag package. This package is handed off from fellow MCs to DJs to graffiti artists in Connecticut, interluded with snippets of live footage and seamlessly synchronized declarations of dedication from Ceschi Ramos, the Factory Underground, Connecticut Crime Family, Dead By Wednesday, DJ Connect, Sotorios of Political Animals and many more!

This is a fantastic representation of the chain of talented individuals and established connections it takes to make GOOD music. Not just music that you can drive to and home from work with, but music that gives graffiti artists something to spray to, B-boys something to move their feet to, smokers something to flick their Bic to and fans something to bump their head to.
Every factor of the music scene we have in this state is an effort made by many people who go through commendable lengths to be out here just like all of the wonderful people they see at shows, gettin’ rowdy.

And, the best part about the video?It shows everyone how much of a BLAST we have doing everything we do, because we do it together.

I’m pleased to have been involved on this project. It was a pretty dope mixtape drop to have, considering I now share a discography with great artists like PA’s, dUece, White Chedder, BC Connect… the list goes on. Actually, the list goes on below, since I’ve included a track list and a FREE DOWNLOAD LINK directly from the Aeon Audio/ CT Hip-Hop server. FULL BLAST!

Just came across this on facebook… between the flu I had and the storm, I completely spaced on the FullBlast movement’s mixtape release party. I’m proud they let me get a track up on there… and if this track signifies anything, it would be that the project is dope and needs some love.

I was just looking around for a link or something so that you can get yourself a copy, but couldn’t find one. In the meantime, check out Mindz-I Entertainment and play yourself some music videos from there.

This event will be off the hook. I’m sorry about the lack of content over the last few days, I’ve been fighting the Hunta Virus and grinding through my day job. Ok, it’s just a cold, but with the amount of work I give myself to do, something has to give. About 6 people e-mailed me this flyer – if it’s any indication of the support and strength of CT’s hip-hop culture – this is one is gonna be big. I’m going to crawl back to my couch now.

BigBar Radio is an important outlet for us CT based artists. If you’re unfamiliar, get familiar. Also, as soon as I can, I’m going to have a permalink for them. They accept music from all genres from CT based musicians, too. After listening to this, check them out.